GYMNASTS from Dorchester YMCA had a relaxing end to 2009 after finishing the year in triumphant style.

Eight of the club’s young, artistic girls travelled to Plymouth where they competed in their Regional Club Grades. Unlike usual competitions, grades involved trying to achieve a score to gain a pass, highly commended or distinction.

Gymnasts have to display certain skills on vault, asymmetric bars, beam and floor, as well as performing a range and conditioning routine.

Georgia Cochrane, Jessica Hughes, Imogen Slade and Caitlin Chapman were the first to compete, having made the early morning journey from Dorchester in miserable conditions.

Hughes, Slade and Chapman were all attempting to pass grade 12 while Cochrane was competing at grade 11. All the girls performed very well with Cochrane recording the third highest score on the beam in her field. Hughes and Slade both earned passes, while Chapman and Cochrane notched highly-commended awards.

However, one of the girls’ team-mates, Holly O’Flanagan, was missing from the competition.

YMCA coach Sam Welch said: “Unfortunately Holly wasn’t able to make grades this year, which was a great shame. Holly was training really well in the run up to grades, but we’re in no doubt she will be back next year.” Ellen Burg and Ella Allford where the next of the YMCA contingent to compete, both attempting grade 14.

This was Burg’s first grades competition while for Allford it was her first competition outside of the club. Both girls performed very well, with Allford having to restart her floor routine after the music stopped halfway through. The hard work the girls put in resulted in both finishing in the top 20, therefore securing distinctions.

The last two gymnasts to complete a long day for the YMCA team were the Adams cousins, Emma and Orla, competing at grade 13.

This was the duo’s first grades competition representing the club after the sad demise of West Dorset Gymnastics Club.

Both girls performed admirably with Orla bagging a highly commended award and Emma, who also recorded the second highest overall score in her grade, notching a distinction.

Dorchester YMCA coaching team manager Julie O’Brien, who was judging at the competition, said: “We’re very proud of all the girls. We must thank the parents too for their support in bringing the children to the club every week, sometimes very early in the morning, and for making the long journey for this competition in such horrible weather.”

Welch echoed O’Brien’s sentiments, adding: “All the girls work really hard for this. It’s the biggest competition of the year for them and they all deserve what they’ve achieved.”

Welch also singled out two of his colleagues for special praise. He said: “Julie and Jodie work tirelessly with the girls and it really shows. The girls work hard to remember one routine on each piece but Julie and Jodie have to remember so many different routines it’s silly.”

Dorchester YMCA runs classes throughout the school terms for all levels of gymnastics. For more information visit dorchester-ymca.co.uk or telephone 266467.